We Say Goodbye....

This winter saw the loss of a very important Museum Member and local figure in Johnson Flying Service history  when Clyde "Chub" Riggleman passed away this January. Chub spent many years sharing his knowledge, history and expertise on Johnson Flying Service, as well as assisting us with the restoration of the Mann Gulch DC-3,  an airplane that had been under his care for many years during his time at JFS.    We all at the museum will miss him and the history he represented.
Cheers, Chub.

The Following is cited from Missoulian.com.

MISSOULA – Chub Riggleman, 82, of Missoula, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012, with his family by his side.

His was born July 15, 1929, in Ismay to Herbert and Elsie Riggleman. In 1943 his family moved to Missoula, where he attended grade school and graduated from Missoula County High School in 1948.

In 1948 he went back to Ismay to work on his uncle’s ranch. His two uncles had airplanes, and so began the love of aviation for Chub. He did his first solo flight at the ranch.

He returned to Missoula in June 1949 and went to the Hale Field Airport to look for work. He was hired on for $100 a month with flying lessons included.

In October 1949, Chub married his high school sweetheart, Virginia Burrows.

Chub worked at Johnson Fly Service until 1974. During that time he received his A&E license. In 1975 Chub went to work at Delaney Lumber Co. He was in charge of all maintenance on the company’s aircraft. In 1976 he went to work for U.S. Forest Service and retired in 1995 as aviation maintenance inspector for the agency’s Northern Region.

Throughout his career in aviation, Chub had the pleasure of flying coast to coast, Alaska to Mexico. He also had so many good friends that he enjoyed forever. He still was meeting for coffee every week until November 2011.

Of course, the love of his life was his family. He was always there whenever we needed help or advice. He was also there for friends, whom he treated like family.

He enjoyed many years with his family and friends at both Lake Inez and then the family cabin at Flathead Lake.

Chub was preceded in death by his parents Herb and Elsie Riggleman and brother Don Riggleman.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Virginia, of Missoula; sons Richard (Nancy) Riggleman of California and Kim Riggleman of Missoula; daughter Sandi Gress of Missoula; grandchildren, Jamie (Todd) Feely of Billings, Crystal (Karen) Riggleman of California, Brandon (Jennifer) Gress of Missoula and Stefanie (Shawn Silvan) Gress of Rio Rancho, N.M.; great-grandchildren Jaiden and Hunter Gress, Wilson and Harrison Feely; brothers Howard (Brenda) Riggleman and Del (Gwen) Riggleman; two great aunts; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.

A memorial service will be held March 30 at 2 p.m. at the Cremation and Burial Society of the Rockies.